Rare Hybodus delabechei Shark Tooth Fossil Jurassic Lyme Regis Dorset UK Lower Lias Genuine Jurassic Coast Hybodont Shark Tooth

Description

Rare Hybodus delabechei Shark Tooth Fossil – Lower Lias, Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis

Presented here is a rare fossil shark tooth belonging to the species Hybodus delabechei, recovered from the famous fossil-bearing cliffs of Black Ven near Lyme Regis, Dorset, England. This specimen originates from the Lower Lias deposits of the Early Jurassic, dating to approximately 201–190 million years ago, when much of southern Britain lay beneath a warm shallow sea.

This fossil shark tooth represents a genuine relic from the ancient marine ecosystems preserved along the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most scientifically important fossil localities in the world.

The fossil is a carefully chosen specimen, and the photograph in the listing clearly shows the exact fossil you will receive. The specimen is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that it is a genuine fossil.

Full dimensions and scale are visible in the listing photographs.

Hybodus delabechei – A Jurassic Hybodont Shark

The species Hybodus delabechei belongs to the extinct shark genus Hybodus, within the family Hybodontidae and order Hybodontiformes. Hybodont sharks were widespread throughout the Triassic and Jurassic periods, occupying both marine and coastal ecosystems.

Unlike many modern sharks, hybodonts possessed a distinctive combination of tooth types adapted for different feeding strategies. Their dentition often included both sharp central cusps for grasping prey and flattened crushing teeth for processing hard-shelled organisms.

Characteristic features of Hybodus delabechei teeth include:

• A tall, narrow central cusp

• Smaller lateral cusplets flanking the main cusp

• Fine vertical ridges along the enamel surface

• A robust root providing strong attachment within the jaw

These adaptations allowed Hybodus sharks to capture and hold a variety of prey including fish, cephalopods, and small marine animals.

Hybodus sharks were important mid-level predators in Jurassic marine ecosystems, inhabiting shallow seas and coastal environments where abundant food sources were available.

Lower Lias Geological Formation

This fossil originates from the Lower Lias Group, one of the most famous fossil-bearing rock sequences in Europe. These sediments were deposited during the Early Jurassic Period, specifically the Hettangian to Sinemurian stages, approximately 201–190 million years ago.

During this time, the region that is now southern England was submerged beneath a shallow epicontinental sea connected to the vast Tethys Ocean. Fine marine sediments settled slowly on the seabed, forming layers of mudstone and marl that now make up the Lower Lias cliffs.

These fossil-rich sediments preserve an extraordinary diversity of Early Jurassic marine life including:

• Marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs

• Numerous ammonite species used for biostratigraphy

• Belemnites and crustaceans

• Bony fish and sharks

• Bivalves and other marine invertebrates

The Lower Lias is divided into well-defined ammonite biozones, which allow geologists to precisely date the fossils found within these layers.

Black Ven – A Legendary Fossil Locality

The fossil was recovered from Black Ven, a large landslip area located just east of Lyme Regis. This site exposes extensive sections of the Lower Lias, making it one of the most productive fossil localities in Britain.

Lyme Regis is historically significant in the development of palaeontology. Many important discoveries were made here in the early 19th century by fossil collector Mary Anning, whose finds of marine reptiles dramatically advanced scientific understanding of prehistoric life.

Today, natural coastal erosion and landslides continue to expose new fossil-bearing layers, ensuring that Black Ven remains an important site for fossil discoveries.

Fossilisation and Preservation

Shark teeth are among the most commonly preserved vertebrate fossils due to their highly mineralised enamel composition. Throughout their lives, sharks continually shed and replace their teeth, meaning many teeth accumulate on the seafloor.

When these teeth became buried in fine marine sediment, mineralisation over millions of years preserved them as fossils. Many Lower Lias shark teeth retain detailed enamel structures, including ridges and cusplets characteristic of the species.

These fossil teeth provide valuable insight into the diversity of Jurassic shark species and the structure of ancient marine ecosystems.

Authenticity and Collector Information

• Genuine fossil specimen – not a cast or replica

• Species: Hybodus delabechei

• Family: Hybodontidae

• Order: Hybodontiformes

• Geological Formation: Lower Lias Group

• Age: Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian), approximately 201–190 million years old

• Locality: Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, United Kingdom

• Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card

• The exact fossil shown in the photographs is the specimen you will receive

This rare Hybodus delabechei shark tooth from the legendary Jurassic Coast is an outstanding addition to any Jurassic fossil collection, fossil shark display, or natural history cabinet, representing a genuine piece of Early Jurassic marine history from one of the most famous fossil localities in the world.